Binh Lieu Commune: Culture - soft power at the Fatherland's fence

Culture and people always hold a central position in the cause of building and defending the Fatherland. In the context of integration, when global competition is increasingly fierce, promoting cultural values ​​becomes more urgent. This requires not only awareness, but more importantly, practical actions of cadres and party members - the core force in the political system. Binh Lieu commune, with more than 92% of the population being ethnic minorities, has been proving that promoting culture is not only to preserve identity, but also the key to socio-economic development, strengthening the national defense and security posture at the Fatherland's fence.

Before implementing the 2-level local government model, the Party Committee of Binh Lieu district identified culture as one of the pillars of development. Implementing Resolution 06-NQ/HU (2016) on preserving and promoting traditional cultural values, the locality successfully restored 3 traditional festivals (Luc Na Communal House Festival, Wind Abstinence Festival of the Dao Thanh Phan people; Soong Co Festival); restored traditional rituals and customs such as: New Year's water collection custom, first birthday ceremony of the Tay people... At the same time, building tourism products based on traditional cultural values ​​of ethnic groups such as: Golden Season Festival, So Flower Festival, Cultural - Sports Festival of Binh Lieu ethnic groups...; preparing documents to propose recognition of 7 folk artists, 3 excellent artists; building folk song and dance clubs with more than 1,200 regular members. Many Then, Song Co, and Pa Dung melodies have been collected, restored, and taught. In particular, implementing Resolution 08-NQ/HU (2020) on cultural development associated with tourism, Binh Lieu has formed 7 community homestay models in Na Ech, Luc Na, and Dong Van villages, both creating new livelihoods and preserving traditional customs and houses. The inter-commune traffic system and roads to cultural villages have been solidified and have signs of "Cultural Villages" attached, contributing to making Binh Lieu a bright spot for border tourism.

National cultural identity is the attraction that holds tourists.

In 2022 - 2024, Binh Lieu district organized more than 40 training classes, teaching Then singing - Tinh lute, with the participation of more than 1,000 students. Following those achievements, immediately after stabilizing operations, in August 2025, Binh Lieu commune opened 3 folk song classes for more than 150 students who are children and union members. The classes not only preserve the profession and reputation but also form a successor team, spreading identity to the younger generation.

Cultural works that have received attention include: The central cultural house of Binh Lieu commune has been renovated and a community library with more than 3,000 books has been added; 35/55 villages have cultural houses equipped with broadcasting systems to serve daily activities and propaganda. Binh Lieu market has been upgraded and become a unique cultural and tourist destination, each market attracts thousands of visitors.

Along with that is the work of eliminating bad customs: If in 2017, the rate of child marriage was up to 25%, then by 2024, this number will decrease to less than 10%. Many backward customs such as incestuous marriage, cumbersome funerals, and burning forests for farming will be replaced by the model of "Civilized and safe villages". This is the result of the exemplary behavior of cadres and party members, and the synchronous participation of the political system.

Ms. Hoang Thi Hue, Head of Khe Lanh village, shared: “In the past, there were often early marriages in the village. Many couples were only 15-16 years old when they got married, life was difficult, poverty was persistent. Some families even had incestuous marriages, leading to illnesses for the children. Faced with this situation, we - party members and village heads - persistently went to every alley, knocked on every door, and encouraged people to change their perceptions. Each cadre and party member set an example in practicing civilized weddings, completely eliminating early marriages. Gradually, people also followed suit. Now, the young generation in the village is aware that they must study and start a career before starting a family. For many years now, Phai Lau has no longer had early marriages or incestuous marriages. People are excited, united, and cultural life is becoming healthier.” The story in Khe Lanh is not only the success of a village, but also a clear demonstration of how the Party's resolutions are put into practice: starting with the pioneering and exemplary role of cadres and party members; spreading to the people's self-awareness; and finally forming a civilized and sustainable lifestyle.

Soong Co singing is preserved by the San Chi community in their daily life.

Mr. Nguyen The Minh, Secretary of the Party Committee of Binh Lieu commune, shared: “The most important thing is to turn the resolution into concrete actions. Cadres and party members must set an example first so that people will believe and follow. Thanks to that, the culture in Binh Lieu is not only preserved but also becomes a driving force for economic and tourism development.”

Ms. Ly Thi Dung, Head of the Dao Thanh Y Cultural Preservation and Development Club, said: “In the past, young people were less interested in folk songs, but now many children voluntarily join to learn Then singing and Song Co singing. Our club currently has nearly 50 members, half of whom are teenagers. This is a good sign for traditional culture to continue to be extended.”

Mr. Lac A Coi in Luc Ngu village expressed: “Thanks to the development of community tourism, my family has opened a homestay, earning tens of millions of dong each year. The most precious thing is that tourists can listen to Soong Co singing and enjoy traditional cuisine right at home. We have both economic benefits and pride in preserving our identity.”

Inheriting the achievements of the previous Binh Lieu district government, Binh Lieu commune always identifies and promotes cultural values ​​​​along with the task of protecting the border. The commune directs to continue implementing the model of "Peaceful village - peaceful border", border security self-management teams are built in 100% of border villages, with the participation of hundreds of households. The reunion festivals and the resounding Then melodies are not only cultural joys, but also spiritual strength to consolidate the "people's hearts", firmly maintaining every inch of sacred land on the border.

Binh Lieu market has been upgraded to become a unique cultural and tourist destination, each market session attracts thousands of visitors.

Reality in Binh Lieu shows that promoting cultural and human values ​​is not just a slogan but has become a specific political solution in economic development and strengthening national defense and security. With tourism growth figures (in 2024, welcoming more than 300,000 visitors, the average income of households doing community tourism reaches 80-100 million VND/year), bustling festival seasons, changes in lifestyle, Binh Lieu has proven that the resolution, when implemented resolutely, will turn into soft power, into internal development force.

Raising cultural awareness for cadres and party members is not only “the story of Binh Lieu”, but also a strategic task of the entire political system. For culture to truly become an endogenous strength, a driving force for development and a stronghold to protect the Fatherland, we need more Binh Lieu – places where cadres and party members dare to think, dare to do, dare to turn resolutions into actions in life.

To Dinh Hieu (Public Service Supply Center of Binh Lieu Commune)

Source: https://baoquangninh.vn/xa-binh-lieu-van-hoa-suc-manh-mem-noi-phen-dau-to-quoc-3378110.html